Canadian Media Idol Finals ::. Toronto July 16 -19

 

For full background on what this event was all about, please check the second link on the Brush With Greatness page.

 

This was why they were in T.O. These 10 people from across Canada, strangers to each other, from radio, TV and newspaper

being thrust into the jaws of the juggernaut that is Canadian Idol. Representing Newfoundland & Labrador, Paul Kinsman.

 

Arrival in downtown Toronto.

 

 

 

It was like an episode of What Not to Wear when Paul met with Canadian Idol stylist Roz Griffithall. She didn't like

any of Paul's black t-shirts (pretty much all he ever wears) for the Idol Stage. She sent him shopping the next morning.

 

 

 

Season 2 top 4 finalist and Idol's roving reporter Elena Juatco and Paul at Idol Mansion. Media Idols and

show staff had to sign a non-disclosure agreement making sure no one reveals the secret location of the house.

 

 

 

A photo taken during the dress rehearsal for the Top 10 show. Notice that the judges aren't there. Those 4 people are

show staff standing in for Zack, Farley, Sass and Jake. Apparently they had something more important to do. On stage

are top 10 contestant Tyler Lewis and something you don't see every day... Ben Mulroney in shorts.

 

 

 

Before showtime, Canadian Idol makes carboard, markers, construction paper, stickers and photos available for

fans to create signs to support their favourite singer. The lobby of the theater is difficult to navigate because of the

pre-show art projects. Pictured above, Olivia and Alexa stop mid-sign to show who they like... Craig Sharpe.

 

 

 

After the show, the judges come out to the mezzanine of the the John Bassett Theater to sign autographs for the fans.

 

 

 

From Victoria, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Kitchener, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax and St. John's... the Media Idols.

The lady in the background with the glasses is Idol Executive Producer Barb Bowlby. She actually warms up the audience before

the broadcast by singing a punk version of the old song "Feelings" with the Idol band. This was shot backstage after the Monday show.

 

 

 

After the Monday show, there was a reception at Idol Mansion (Mick Jagger has stayed there on occasion) for invited media

to meet with the top 10 finalists. This was the first time this has happened in any Idol season. Brandon Jones may live in New

Brunswick but even if he did leave the Rock when he was 3, he's still a Newfoundlander to many of us.

 

 

 

Upper Island Cove's Craig Sharpe has consistantly blown away the judges with his great tone and unique voice. Many

fans think ( and he has a lot in Toronto) that he could go all the way to the final two. If there were only two people left

in this house they could spend hours trying to find each other. His dad Calvin has also been in Toronto since the start.

 

 

 

Craig and his mom, Linda at the grand piano in the foyer of the Idol Mansion. Did we mention that we can't divulge its location?

 

 

 

A piano player himself, Paul struggles to find the right song to play on a $40,000, hand-made Bosendorfer grand piano.

 

 

 

Here he is folks, the fabulous Ben Mulroney... great hair, perfect tan, smells pretty good, a class act all the way.

 

 

 

Vocal coach for American and Canadian Idol, the unbelievable Debra Byrd with Paul onstage at the Bassett Theater prior to

the Canadian Media Idol Top 10 final. Byrd has toured, recorded and/or appeared on video with The Eurythmics, Bob Dylan,

UB40, Lyle Lovett, Roberta Flack, Patti Austin, and Bob Geldof, to name a few.

 

 

 

And the Canadian Media Idol is... Shannon Tyler, morning show co-host from Big Earl FM in Edmonton. There was no question

that should she be the winner, she has an incredible instrument. Here's how CTV decribed her performance: "Edmonton radio host

Shannon Tyler and her stirring performance of Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" beat out a rowdy (and often ridiculous)

gang of men from across Canada to win the first ever Canadian Media Idol title". The only female participant and the first to hit the

stage, during the competition she was less than 2 weeks away from her wedding day.

 

 

 

The first ever Canadian Media Idol finalists and winner: (front) Lance DeLisle.(Second Row L-R) Cyril Lunney, Brad Grass,

Shannon Tyler, Gary Butler, Al Ferraby. (Back row L - R) Paul Kinsman, Jeff Bromley, Brad Dryden, David Hiltz.

 

 

 

Presenting a cheque for $1000 to Joyce Churchill, president of the Nf & Lab. Autism Society. Paul chose this as his charity

when the local Media Idol competition was held back in April. This was the prize for the winner in each region in Canada.

 

Check out Paul's performance. What you don't hear is when Zack Werner ran up to the stage,

embraced Paul and kissed him on top of his bald head!

 

More photos and new video coming soon. Check back for updates in a week or so as

other Idols photos show up and CTV releases the audio and video of the performance.

 

Broadcast of the Media Idol Competion will be in one of the 2 shows the week of July 31st, or possibly the following week.

Canadian Idol airs 930 pm Monday and Tuesday on NTV.